I. Lit., a being near or close upon, hence presence: “futura quorum consequenti tempore vera erit instantia, ea vera dicimus,” Cic. Fat. 12, 27 B. and K.: infestus dicitur ab instantia atque imminentia fraudis, the immediate and threatening character of the injury, Nigid. ap. Gell. 9, 12, 6.—
II. Trop., steadiness, constancy, perseverance; force, vehemence in speaking; earnestness in supplication, importunity, urgency (post-Aug.): “quid est enim, quod haec instantia non possit efficere?” Plin. Ep. 3, 5, 18: “oratio maxime vi, amaritudine, instantiā placet,” id. ib. 5, 8, 10; “opp. tarditas,” Sol. 2, 46: “repetendi debiti instantia,” Dig. 32, 1, 32: “sed instantia Byrrhaenae perfecit, ut vellet,” App. M. 2, p. 123, 38: “pertinaci negare instantia,” Amm. 28, 1, 19.
